For a division that houses two of the game’s all-time greats, a couple of the league’s most mercurial contenders, and more than few of the sport’s most dynamic offensive practitioners, there are bound to be questions.
How will the Metro’s best navigate roster turnover while trying to find the next level? Who among the middle-of-the-pack has played their off-season well enough to break through? When does rebuilding give way to resurgence?
Ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, we’re taking a closer look at the journey ahead for each of the NHL’s four divisions. Here’s a closer look at the most pressing questions for each team in the Metro with Game 1 around the corner.
Note: In the wake of the tragic loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the focus in Columbus at this moment is not on hockey. Out of respect for their time of healing, the Blue Jackets have not been included in this series.
Carolina Hurricanes: How do the Canes navigate their significant roster shake-up?
After a string of division titles and an all-in approach at the deadline last season, the Canes head into 2024-25 with some new faces to integrate, and some marquee performers to replace. The blue line figures to have the most question marks heading into camp — gone is Brady Skjei, who ate up 21 minutes a night for the Canes last season, while joining the fray are Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere, both coming off quality campaigns. Up front, the biggest unknown is how the Canes’ top six deals with the loss of 40-goal sniper Jake Guentzel. The onus seems to be on the club’s long-time core to raise their level in 2024-25. How far will that take them, and how long will it take the blue line to gel together and aid in that journey?
New Jersey Devils: Can Sheldon Keefe get the promising Devils back on track?
It’s been a rollercoaster pair of seasons for the Devils. Two years ago, they seemed on track to become the class of the East, with Jack Hughes establishing himself among the very best in the game courtesy of a 43-goal, 99-point effort. Then came 2023-24, injuries to Hughes and other key pieces, and a tumble down the standings from second in the division to a familiar seventh. After taking down the Rangers in a seven-game Round 1 thriller a year prior, the Devils missed out on the dance altogether in 2024. Now, they have a new coach to guide their comeback. Fresh off leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to five straight top-three finishes in the Atlantic, how far can Keefe take a young, healthy Devils team that showed so much potential so recently? What approach does this new-look Devils squad take out of camp and into the start of the new campaign?